Layar augmented reality launches

Layar brings augmented reality to your cellphone with the release of Layar Reality Browser 2.0. Partnering with Layar, Brightkite improves the experience by accessing their content, along with Wikipedia, Twitter, and other services; then by using the camera on your cellphone, maps friends and other users data on the screen, over top of the live feed. Simply aim your camera at a bar and find that two friends are inside, and read a reminder to yourself that you didn’t like the live music. It’s interesting to see how much is already implemented, and with an additional 500 API keys released, what new things will come from Layar?

Perhaps not the correct site to mention this, but we need FEWER cellphones, not more. People on cellphones in cars are a huge hazard – at least down here in Florida. If every state outlawed using phones while driving with penalty of losing your license permanently, I would support this. Until then, I say delete these apps and stuff and go back to black-and-white(green and black?) phones that just make calls, and maybe have an alarm clock on them.

@m4cgyv3r, yeah we should go back to the green and black cellphones that just make calls. also the internet should be restricted to universities and government agencies. and the printing press sucks too.

i just used this on my g1 for about 5 minutes, and it rocks. i have been waiting for this thing to come to america and i am so excited it did. i see myself using the ‘eat’ layer a lot on road trips. this tech has some crazy possibilities. really cant believe this is free. augmented reality rules. next thing ya know, this will be in glasses, then contacts, then implants. then we get cyber brains a la ghost in the shell and shit starts to really get crazy.

In the states it may not be outlawed, but in most of Europe you can loose you license if you are on your phone while driving. In some countries, speed cameras also take photos even if you are not speeding. If you are seen with a phone, you will get a nice letter in the mail and a summons to court,

How many winmo phones have gps and magnetic compasses in them? I’m going to guess maybe one, but it’s probably closer to none. just waiting until October to get rid of my winmo phone. hopefully the hero will be out in the states by then.